I was diagnosed with type 2 last Wednesday after a routine trip to a Lloyd's pharmacy and they spotted my symptoms. My blood test results for a 3 month average was 98. Nurse says I can try and adjust my diet and exercise for 3 months and then review it. Should I be testing my blood sugars or leave it for my check up? I've altered my diet and lost 5lb already.
Diabetic a week
- Thread starter LinziC78
- Start Date
I'm a month or two ahead of you, diagnosis-wise. I haven't got my tester yet, but I think there's no harm to get one and start testing while you wait for your check-up. I'm probably going to end up leaving it till I see my doc again in a month, but the more experienced people I've spoken to are all pretty keen on self-testing.
Bluetit1802
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Hi and welcome,
Well done on your start and also for finding this forum. 98 is fairly high, but with a suitable diet and regular self testing you have every chance of reducing this considerably before your next review.
Yes, you do need to self test or you will be working blind. It will help you discover which foods you can or can't eat, and in what quantities. Once you have a meter people here can guide you about when and how to test. Do be aware when you buy a meter that it isn't the cost of the meter you need to concern yourself with, but the cost of the replacement test strips. You only need one meter. You need many thousands of test strips. Many of us here use the Codefree because it has the cheapest strips around.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
Pharmacies don't sell them, and don’t forget to declare you are diabetic in order to avoid any VAT.
There are discount codes if you buy in bulk
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
Well done on your start and also for finding this forum. 98 is fairly high, but with a suitable diet and regular self testing you have every chance of reducing this considerably before your next review.
Yes, you do need to self test or you will be working blind. It will help you discover which foods you can or can't eat, and in what quantities. Once you have a meter people here can guide you about when and how to test. Do be aware when you buy a meter that it isn't the cost of the meter you need to concern yourself with, but the cost of the replacement test strips. You only need one meter. You need many thousands of test strips. Many of us here use the Codefree because it has the cheapest strips around.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
Pharmacies don't sell them, and don’t forget to declare you are diabetic in order to avoid any VAT.
There are discount codes if you buy in bulk
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
Squire Fulwood
Expert
- Messages
- 6,107
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
You should get a tester and find out what foods make you worse. Don't leave it to the three monthly test or you won't know what is going on.
Hi
I too was diagnosed last week and my GP gave me a glucose testing kit that I need to use for two weeks before going back to see him. I'm watching my carb intake like a hawk. It's very overwhelming isn't it? I really want to manage this without meds. Well done on weight loss so far!
Squire Fulwood
Expert
- Messages
- 6,107
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Regarding food and testing and stuff there is a starter pack handed out by @daisy1 and I have told her to post it here. Daisy, if you read this maybe Geordie_P would like one as well.
Also, look at www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb where this site is running a free 10 week course on food.
Also, look at www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb where this site is running a free 10 week course on food.
Thank you all for the responses. I think I will get a self tester and see what's going on. Overwhelmed doesn't quite cut it! Scared the hell out of me, still in shock I think too. I am (was!) A chocoholic, and last week I gave away 2 crunchies that I had in my locker at work and it hurt like hell ha ha 
Squire Fulwood
Expert
- Messages
- 6,107
- Type of diabetes
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- Diet only
Giving crunchies away is good for your soul and clearly demonstrates that you were indeed in shock.
- Messages
- 21,889
- Type of diabetes
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Thank you all for the responses. I think I will get a self tester and see what's going on. Overwhelmed doesn't quite cut it! Scared the hell out of me, still in shock I think too. I am (was!) A chocoholic, and last week I gave away 2 crunchies that I had in my locker at work and it hurt like hell ha ha
Kudos for the Crunchies!
daisy1
Legend
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- 26,457
- Type of diabetes
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- Tablets (oral)
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- Cruelty towards animals.
@Geordie_P @LinziC78
Hello and welcome to the forum
Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. It contains advice on carbs and levels and includes a link to the Low Carb Program. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 210,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Hello and welcome to the forum
Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. It contains advice on carbs and levels and includes a link to the Low Carb Program. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 210,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Hi and welcome,
I think we all remember the shock of diagnosis and the feeling of wading through treacle until some ground rules for what we can eat are established. The only way to do that is to buy a meter and to keep on testing because we are all different. If you can start a regular exercise regime too that will be good, it may be walking for a few minutes and gradually extending the distance and time. Take one change at a time and be kind to yourself, there are always days when we start high and stay high for no reason. Read round the forum, ask questions and good luck.
I think we all remember the shock of diagnosis and the feeling of wading through treacle until some ground rules for what we can eat are established. The only way to do that is to buy a meter and to keep on testing because we are all different. If you can start a regular exercise regime too that will be good, it may be walking for a few minutes and gradually extending the distance and time. Take one change at a time and be kind to yourself, there are always days when we start high and stay high for no reason. Read round the forum, ask questions and good luck.
miahara
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,019
- Type of diabetes
- Type 3c
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Testing is good as it will provide you with positive feedback., particularly since you seem to have already started moving in the right direction. It will also give you an indication about what foods or quantities of foods put up your BG. Three to six months for a HbA1c test is too long to wait to see how you are progressing.
Diagnosis does come as a bit of a shock. I wasn't expecting it all and it was a blood test for another issue that revealed it - I came out with a whopping 102, though 7 months later it had reduced to 52. I tend to test every two or three days, just once a day and rotate the tests pre and post breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. I graph and maintain a running averages for each meal and an overall average and this gives me a half decent idea about progress or otherwise and foods to avoid.
(The day after I was diagnosed we won the star prize in the local school Christmas raffle - a great big hamper of very sweet Christmas goodies! )
